Branstad on Friday appointed former Chief Justice Louis Lavarato to independently examine the firing of Larry Hedlund, a special agent with the Division of Criminal Investigation.

The move is a surprise, since Branstad had defended Hedlund's firing and denied it was in retaliation.

Hedlund pursued the governor's speeding SUV on a highway April 26 and called troopers, who clocked it traveling 84 mph in a 65-mph zone. They backed off after learning the vehicle was being driven by a fellow trooper transporting Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Hedlund was fired last week for what the Department of Public Safety called unbecoming conduct.

Hedlund's attorney said he may go to court to block Branstad's administration from disclosing the 500-page disciplinary report to Lavarato.

“Of course it bothers me,” Hedlund said. “I think this case is being treated differently than other cases. Right in the report itself, it says this is a confidential personnel matter that will not be released. And if it’s released, it’s a violation of the code of Iowa.”

Tom Duff is Hedlund's attorney. He said Friday that the 500-page report by the Department of Public Safety's Professional Standards Bureau is "a ginned up, manufactured, one-sided" document that contains defamatory information.

He said he doesn't believe the state can legally share the report with Lavarato. Duff may file for a court injunction next week.

"Justice Lavarato is a very fair person, but he will not have access to all of the facts by reading this manufactured one-sided report. The best place for all of the facts of this case to be brought to light is the Iowa courts where both parties are able to represent their evidence," said Duff in a statement released on Friday.

Branstad said Lavarato will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement to review the report, but Duff said that might not be legal.

“If he was given an opportunity to do a fair review of a fair investigation, I would have 100 percent confidence in his decision, based on what I’ve heard about him,” Hedlund said.

Iowa law prohibits the unauthorized release of confidential personnel information.

New information in the Governor's speeding incident from back in April! Another public employee is being disciplined today as a result of that incident. KCCI's Shaina Humphries has the new information for us. Trooper Steve Lawrence has been cited for driving 84 in a 65 zone on Highway 20--this happened as he was driving the Governor's SUV on April 26th--but the ticket was just issued Thursday. The department of public safety sent out a statement today saying that, in addition to the citation, there has also been personnel investigation. They say the results of that investigation are confidential and will never be made public. That's because disciplinary information is exempt under Iowa's public records law. That's the same law that was referenced when the DPS refused to release another report, that would show exactly why former DCI Agent Larry Hedlund was fired. He's the one who first complained about the Governor's speeding SUV, and he is now suing for wrongful termination. DPS says his firing is under review. Thanks, Shaina. The Governor also announced today that he's appointed a former state Supreme Court justice - to look into the firing of Larry Hedlund. Hedlund is the former DCI special agent who first reported about the Governor's speeding vehicle. Branstad announced former Chief Justice Louis Lavarato will independently examine the firing of Hedlund. But late this afternoon, Hedlund's attorney says he may go to court to block Branstad's administration from sharing a disciplinary report with the Chief Justice. Attorney Tom Duff says the 500 page reporter is manufactured, one-sided and contains defamatory information. He also says he doesn't believe the state can legally share the report with the former Iowa Supreme Court Justice. Branstad says Lavorato will be required to sign a non- disclosure agreement to review the report.

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